DIGnity

Design Feature

Type of project
Placemaking
State
Tasmania
Location
Rural
Community gardens are a valuable resource for the communities in which they are situated. Commonly located in the heart of a neighbourhood, they demonstrate several design features of Healthy Active by Design, including Healthy Food, Sense of Place and Community Facilities. DIGnity Supported Community Gardening runs regular facilitated gardening sessions in community gardens which are primarily focused on enabling older people and people with disabilities.
Inclusive community gardening
The project aims to create a safe and inclusive gardening space for people of all abilities, encouraging a healthy, active approach to ageing. DIGnity attracts approximately 20 participants a week, many of whom arrive by bus or on foot from nearby aged care facilities. As an active ageing initiative, this project helps to increase rates of physical activity and social connection among older people.
DIGnity is funded until the end of 2020 by the Tasmanian State Government, and is run at two established community gardens in Southeastern Tasmania: Dodges Ferry and Nubeena.

The DIGnity project at Dodges Ferry is located in the community garden associated with the Okines Community House, close to other important community facilities including the primary school, local football clubhouse, and public open space including Lagoon Park - Learning in Nature Precinct and Okines Beach. Being close to these other facilities is important, as it enables easy access for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Participants take part in traditional gardening activities, as well as a range of arts and crafts and cooking activities. Some enjoy getting their hands dirty by watering plants or planting seeds in pots, while others find pleasure in weaving with a fibre artist. Most like to help to harvest and prepare a shared meal.
The DIGnity community garden projects showcase the Healthy Active by Design principle of Healthy Food, with a wide range of produce grown in the gardens. Shared lunches are provided at the end of gardening sessions, with meals using ingredients harvested from the gardens. The activities bring together people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds in a common space and help to generate a sense of place.
The gardening program provides a therapeutic, supportive experience for older residents and people that are differently abled. The program is guided by a professional support team comprising an occupational therapist, a mental health social worker, an artist, a garden coordinator and volunteers.

DIGnity's aim is to improve people's wellbeing and quality of life through the creation of garden communities. These much-loved spaces are welcoming and well-equipped to support people with unique health and social needs. The supportive environment helps alleviate cognitive constraints, while promoting active ageing and reducing the impacts on those who are socially isolated due to chronic conditions, grief or other reasons.
Project team
  • Neighbourhood House Inc. and their community gardener
  • DIGnity Supported Community Gardening Inc.
  • A number of committed volunteers
  • A team of occupational therapists, mental health social workers and an artist

Project cost
Ongoing
Health value
  • The DIGnity project provides multiple ageing-related benefits, including increased levels of physical activity, mobility, flexibility, endurance and strength
  • The community garden provides nutritious home-grown fresh produce for the participants, supporting their healthy eating needs
  • The project enables participants to address stress and social isolation through community-oriented activities

Economic value
  • Costly medical interventions can be reduced by actively addressing the adverse impacts of inactivity, stress and social isolation within the older community. There is an economic benefit to aged care facilities and families supporting older people and people with disabilities.
  • The participants in the DIGnity project can use their new skills in a range of scenarios: at home, in aged-care facilities, at places of employment and while volunteering. The program increases the participants’ capacity to enjoy fulfilled lives.


Environmental value
  • The DIGnity project increases biodiversity for plants and animals, and enhances air and soil quality.
  • Through recycling initiatives and composting, the DIGnity Community Gardens also reduces neighbourhood waste, which leads to less landfill, improved use of natural resources, less pollution and lower CO2 emissions.

Social value
  • Among the DIGnity community gardening sessions that have been hosted, 936 visitors have reported experiencing improvements in their health and wellbeing.
  • The project provides social opportunities that build a sense of community and belonging.
  • It also enables participants and their carers to build a personal social network in which future events and meetings are more likely, in and out of the program.

Use value
  • This creative program is helping to increase activity levels through activities in the garden, reduce isolation and generally improve the wellbeing for older residents and people with disabilities.


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